Guide · Non-EU travellers
EES and ETIAS: what changes when you land in Barcelona and head to France
Since 2026, travellers who are not EU citizens are registered by the European Entry/Exit System (EES) when they enter the Schengen area. If you land in Barcelona or Girona from the UK, the US or another non-Schengen country before going on to France, here is what happens, what does not change at the Spain–France border and where ETIAS stands.
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- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- EES fully in operation
- 10 April 2026
- travellers concerned, short stays
- Non-EU
- ETIAS in operation (Nov 2026)
- Not yet
- free waiting at the airport
- 60 min
The border, live
- Barcelona → Girona (AP-7)Checking…
- Girona → La Jonquera (AP-7 / N-II)Checking…
- French side (A9)Border checks possibleA9 status on Bison Futé
France has notified checks at its internal borders until 30-04-2027 (European Commission): carry ID for every passenger.
- Booked in advance, in your name
- Fixed price per vehicle
- VAT invoice
- GPS log of every ride
- Support 24/7 in your language
A QuickPickups service
EES
Registration on arrival
The EES replaces passport stamps. Launched on 12 October 2025, it has been fully in operation since 10 April 2026 at the external borders of the Schengen area. It applies to non-EU nationals on short stays (90 days in any 180-day period); EU citizens and holders of a residence permit from a Schengen country are not covered.
On your first crossing, border police record your passport, a photo of your face and your fingerprints (no fingerprints for children under 12); on later crossings a check is enough. In Barcelona and Girona this happens at passport control when you arrive on a flight from outside Schengen. At peak times, this check can take longer than it used to.
Official sources
- Travel Europe (European Union) · official EES and ETIAS site
Door-to-door comparison
Train, bus, own car or private driver: the real numbers for your group
Choose where you start, where you are going and how many of you are travelling. The private transfer price comes live from our booking engine; train, bus and tolls come from published fares, with their date. You decide.
The private transfer is priced for the whole vehicle; we divide it by the number of travellers so you can compare.
Sources (checked 27-10-2026): train times and fares from Barcelona-Sants (kombo.co, Trainline), FlixBus routes, 2026 Vinci Autoroutes/ASF rates (class 1). Driving times: OSRM, without traffic. Indicative: check with each operator.
What’s included
A fixed price with nothing hidden
- Fixed price per vehicle, taxes and tolls included: the price you book is the price you pay.
- Free waiting time: 60 minutes at the airport (from the actual landing), 30 minutes at the cruise port and Sants station, 15 minutes at any other address.
- Live flight tracking: if you are delayed, we move the pick-up time.
- Meet and greet: your driver comes to meet you with a sign bearing your name.
- Door-to-door service, with your luggage in the same vehicle all the way.
- Driver’s name, phone number, car model and number plate emailed to you before the ride.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pick-up.
- VAT invoice in your name or your company’s.
Optional or to tell us about
- Child seats: on request, for a small supplement. Add one for any child under 135 cm.
- Extra stops or last-minute changes.
- Bulky items (bikes, double buggies, equipment): mention them when you book.
- Tips, entirely optional.
From a saloon car to a 22-seat minibus: up to 22 passengers in one vehicle, and for larger groups the widget prices several vehicles. Secure online payment when you book.
Your fixed price in a few minutes
Choose your route, date and number of passengers: from or to Barcelona or Girona airport, the widget shows the fixed price per vehicle, tolls included, and you book online. For a special request, we reply by WhatsApp, phone or email, 24/7.
At the border
No EES between Spain and France
The Spain–France border is an internal Schengen border: the EES does not apply there, and you are not registered a second time at Le Perthus. France does, however, keep checks at its internal borders, notified until 30 April 2027, so every passenger keeps their passport on them, not in the suitcase. See crossing the Spain–France border.
Your exit is recorded when you leave the Schengen area, for example on a flight home from Barcelona to London. Days spent in France count towards the same 90 days as days spent in Spain.
ETIAS
ETIAS: not required yet
ETIAS is the electronic travel authorisation that visa-exempt travellers, such as British, American, Canadian or Australian citizens, will have to obtain online before travelling. At the time of writing (November 2026) it is not in operation and no launch date has been confirmed, so there is nothing to apply for yet.
Be wary of websites already offering to “submit your ETIAS application” for a fee. The only reliable source is the official European Union site, which will announce the date in advance.
Your transfer
What we do on our side
- We track your flight: the pick-up follows the actual landing time.
- 60 minutes of free waiting from the actual landing, for passport control and baggage.
- If the passport queue is long, message us on WhatsApp and we let the driver know.
- Keep your passport within reach during the drive, for the French border.
- On the way back, the pick-up time allows for the check at departure: see Perpignan to Barcelona airport.
Included in your fixed price
- Fixed price per vehicle, no meter, no surprises
- Tolls and parking included
- Free waiting: 60 min at the airport, 30 min at the cruise port and Sants station, 15 min at any other address
- Real-time flight tracking
- Meet & greet: driver with a name sign at arrivals
- Luggage help, no card surcharge
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to register for the EES at the Le Perthus border?
No. The EES only applies at Schengen external borders, for example at Barcelona airport when you arrive from outside Schengen.
Does the EES apply to EU citizens?
No. It covers non-EU nationals on short stays, not EU citizens or residents holding a Schengen residence permit.
Do I need to apply for ETIAS to travel now?
No. In November 2026 ETIAS is not in operation and no date has been confirmed. Follow the official European Union site.
What if passport control takes more than 60 minutes?
Let us know as soon as you can by WhatsApp or phone, and we work out with the driver how to wait for you.
Do children give fingerprints?
No, children under 12 are exempt. Their photo is recorded and they need their own passport.
Ready to book your ride?
A fixed price, a booking in your name and a driver waiting with a name sign. Check your price now, with no obligation.